Two significant donations have boosted Holland's Latin Americans United for Progress' coffers. Both donations are dedicated to education programs, said Claudia Sánchez Benítez, LAUP's executive director.

One is a $25,000 grant from Comcast, for the existing Digital Connectors Program, which teaches technology to teens and young adults. Students, who range in ages from 14 to 21, commit six hours a week to lessons, which include computer networking, design, social media and video production, as well as a community service component.

The other donation, which Sánchez Benítez said was made anonymously, is in excess of $10,000, is dedicated to expanding two other teen-focused education programs, Adelante and Mas Adelante.

"Our planning phase to talk about expanding those programs starts next week," said Sánchez Benítez, fresh from a debriefing on this year's Mas Adelante-organized youth leadership conference, which drew close to 900 students, some as far away as South Bend, Ind. Specific changes in Adelante and Mas Adelante classes won't be announced until later this year.

All of LAUP's educational programs are aimed at helping teens and adults bridge cultures.

"We used to talk about assimilation," she said. "Now, acculturation is more important. ... People don't want to lose their culture, whether it's Latino or Dutch. Acculturating is a way of adding a new culture to the one you already have."

In the meantime, Sánchez Benítez is also drumming up support, including sponsorships, for the 2014 Fiesta, set for May 2 and 3. Fiesta leads into Tulip Time, set for May 3-10.

"We are partners," Sánchez Benítez said, "We're working with the people at Tulip Time to find ways to make the two events dovetail more."

Learn more about LAUP programs and Fiesta sponsorship opportunities by calling (616) 392-5058 or visiting laup.org.